Peach tree named &#39;SAUZEE JEWEL&#39;

ABSTRACT

A new and distinct variety of peach tree ( Prunus persica ). The following features of the tree and its fruit are characterized with the tree budded on ‘Nemaguard’ Rootstock (non-patented), grown on Handford sandy loam soil with Storie Index rating 95, in USDA Hardiness Zone 9, near Modesto, Calif., with standard commercial fruit growing practices, such as pruning, thinning, spraying, irrigation and fertilization. Its novelty consist of the following combination of desirable features:
     1. Tree with vigorous, upright growth.   2. Regular and productive bearer of large size fruit.   3. Fruit with an attractive red blush skin color.   4. Fruit with very good flavor and eating quality.   5. Fruit with good storage and handling quality.   6. Fruit with firm, white flesh.

BOTANICAL DESIGNATION

Prunus persica

VARIETY DENOMINATION

‘Sauzee Jewel’

BACKGROUND OF THE VARIETY

1. Field of the Invention

In the field of plant genetics, we conduct an extensive and continuingplant-breeding program including the organization and asexualreproduction of orchard trees, and of which plums, peaches, nectarines,apricots, cherries, almonds and interspecifics are exemplary. It was,against this background of our activities that the present variety ofpeach tree was originated and asexually reproduced by us in ourexperimental orchard located near Modesto, Stanislaus County, Calif.

2. Prior Varieties

Among the existing varieties of peach trees, which are known to us, andmentioned herein are ‘September Snow’ Peach (U.S. Plant Pat. No. 8,003)and our proprietary non-patented peach seedling selections with thefield identification numbers ‘220LV352’, ‘358LN87’ and ‘30LR286’.

STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT

Not applicable.

ORIGIN OF THE VARIETY

The new and distinct variety of peach tree (Prunus persica) wasdeveloped by us in our experimental orchard located near Modesto, Calif.from an open pollinated seed collected from our proprietary non-patentedpeach seedling selection with the field identification number‘220LV352’. The seed parent (220LV352) originated from a cross betweenour proprietary non-patented peach seedling selections ‘358LN87’ and‘30LR286’. A large group of these open pollinated seedlings were plantedand maintained on their own root system, during which time we recognizedthe desirable tree and fruit characteristics of the present seedling andselected it in 2008 for additional asexual propagation andcommercialization.

ASEXUAL REPRODUCTION OF THE VARIETY

In 2008 asexual reproduction of the new and distinct variety of peachtree was by budding to ‘Nemaguard’ Rootstock (non-patented), asperformed by us in our experimental orchard located near Modesto,Calif., and shows that reproductions run true to the original tree andall characteristics of the tree and its fruit are established andtransmitted through succeeding asexual propagations.

SUMMARY OF THE NEW VARIETY

The present new variety of peach tree (Prunus persica) is of large size,vigorous upright growth and is a productive and regular bearer of largesize, white flesh, clingstone fruit. The fruit is further characterizedas being peen-to in shape, having mild, sweet, sub-acid flavor with verygood eating quality. In comparison to the proprietary peach seed parent‘220LV352’ (non-patented) the fruit of the new variety has white fleshcompared to yellow and is approximately 17 days later in maturity. Incomparison to the commercial variety ‘September Snow’ Peach (U.S. PlantPat. No. 8,003) the fruit of the new variety is peen-to in shapecompared to globose and is approximately 6 days later in maturity.

DESCRIPTION OF PHOTOGRAPH

The accompanying color photographic illustration shows typical specimensof the foliage and fruit of the present new peach variety. Theillustration shows the upper and lower surface of the leaves, anexterior and sectional view of a single fruit divided in its sutureplane to show flesh color, pit cavity and the stone remaining in place.The photographic illustration was taken shortly after being picked(shipping ripe) from a 6 year old tree and the colors are as nearly trueas is reasonably possible in a color representation of this type.

DESCRIPTION OF THE VARIETY

The following is a detailed botanical description of the new variety ofpeach tree, its flowers, foliage and fruit, as based on observations of6 year old specimens grown near Modesto, Calif., with color inaccordance with Munsell Book of Color published in 1958.

-   Tree:    -   -   Size.—Large, usually pruned to 3 to 3.5 meters in height and            width for economical harvesting of fruit. Size varies with            different cultural practices.        -   Vigor.—Vigorous, growth of 1.5 to 2 meters the first growing            season. Varies slightly with type and fertility of soil,            climatic conditions and cultural practices.        -   Form.—Upright, usually pruned to vase shape.        -   Branching habit.—Upright, crotch angle approximately 35°,            increases with heavy crop load.        -   Productivity.—Productive, thinning and spacing necessary for            desired market size fruit. Number of fruit set varies with            climatic conditions during blooming period.        -   Bearer.—Regular, has had adequate fruit set 4 consecutive            years. No alternate bearing observed.        -   Fertility.—Self fertile.        -   Density.—Medium dense, usually pruned to vase shape to            increase air movement and sunlight to enhance fruit color            and health of fruit wood.        -   Hardiness.—Hardy in all stone fruit growing areas of            California. Tree grown in USDA Hardiness Zone 9. Winter            chilling requirement approximately 950 hours at or below 45°            F.-   Trunk:    -   -   Size.—Medium. Average circumference 56.8 cm at 19.9 cm above            ground on a 6 year old tree.        -   Stocky.—Medium stocky.        -   Texture.—Medium shaggy, roughness increases with age.        -   Color.—Varies from 2.5Y 3/2 to 5Y 4/2.-   Branches:    -   -   Size.—Medium to large. Average circumference 16.5 cm at 1.2            meters above ground on a 6 year old tree. Crotch angle            approximately 35°, increases with heavy crop load.        -   Surface texture.—New growth relatively smooth. 23, Mature            growth medium rough, roughness increases with age.        -   Lenticels.—Average number 48 in 25.8 sq cm area. Average            length 3.4 mm. Average width 2.0 mm. Color varies from 7.5YR            5/8 to 10YR 5/8.        -   Color.—New growth varies from 2.5GY 6/6 to 5GY 6/6. Mature            growth varies from 10YR 3/4 to 2.5Y 3/4, varies with age of            growth.-   Leaves:    -   -   Size.—Large. Average length 135.9 mm. Average width 35.0 mm.        -   Form.—Lanceolate.        -   Apex.—Acuminate.        -   Base.—Cuneate.        -   Margin.—Crenate.        -   Thickness.—Medium.        -   Surface texture.—Upper surface relatively smooth, slightly            indented over midrib and leaf veins, glabrous. Lower surface            relatively smooth except for small ridges created by midrib            and pinnate venation, glabrous.        -   Petiole.—Average length 10.9 mm. Average width 1.2 mm.            Longitudinally grooved. Surface — glabrous. Color varies            from 5GY 6/6 to 5GY 5/6.        -   Glands.—Type — reniform. Size — small. Average length            1.0 mm. Average diameter 0.5 mm. Average number 3, varies            from 1 to 5. Located primarily on base of leaf blade and            upper portion of petiole. Color varies from 5GY 5/6 with 10R            3/6.        -   Stipules.—Average number 2. Average length 5.4 mm. Edges —            pectinate. Color varies from 5GY 8/6 to 10R 3/4.        -   Color.—Upper surface 7.5GY 4/4. Lower surface varies from            5GY 5/4 to 5GY 4/6. Midvein color varies from 5GY 8/6 to 5GY            7/6.-   Flower buds:    -   -   Size.—Large. Average length 20.3 mm. Average diameter 10.3            mm.        -   Hardiness.—Hardy with respect to California winters.        -   Density.—Medium dense.        -   Form.—Elongated.        -   Pedicel.—Average length 5.3 mm. Average width 1.5 mm. Color            varies from 2.5GY 7/4 to 2.5GY 7/6. Surface glabrous.        -   Color.—Varies from 5RP 7/8 to 5RP 8/6.-   Flowers:    -   -   Blooming period.—Date of First Bloom Mar. 3, 2014. Date of            Petal Fall Mar. 12, 2014, varies slightly with climatic            conditions.        -   Size.—Large, showy. Average height 25.0 mm. Average diameter            47.6 mm.        -   Petals.—Normally. 5, alternately arranged to sepals. Size —            large. Average length 24.6 mm. Average width 20.1 mm. Form —            ovate. Petal apex — rounded. Petal base — acuminate.            Arrangement — free. Margin — sinuate. Color varies from 5RP            7/6 to 5RP 7/10, color fades with age of flower. Both upper            and lower surfaces glabrous.        -   Sepals.—Normally 5, alternately arranged to petals. Size —            large. Average length 6.4 mm. Average width 5.4 mm. Shape —            triangular. Apex — rounded to triangular. Margin — entire.            Surface — upper surface glabrous, lower surface pubescent.            Color — upper surface varies from 5GY 5/6 to 5R 3/6. Lower            surface varies from 5R 2/6 to 5R 2/8.        -   Stamens.—Average number per flower 37, varies from 36 to 39.            Average filament length 15.8 mm. On average, the stamens are            even with the height of the petals. Filament color varies            from N 9.5/ (white) to 5RP 8/4. Anther color varies from 10R            4/12 to 5Y 9/6.        -   Pollen.—Self fertile. Color varies from 2.5Y 8/4 to 2.5Y            7/12.        -   Pistil.—Normally 1. Surface — pubescent. Average length            16.8 mm. Position of stigma an average of 1.0 mm below            anthers. Color varies from 5Y 8.5/6 to 5Y 8.5/12.        -   Fragrance.—Moderate.        -   Color.—Varies from 5RP 7/8 to 5RP 8/6.        -   Number flowers per flower bud.—Normally one.        -   Pedicel.—Average length 5.6 mm. Average width 1.5 mm. Color            varies from 5GY 6/6 to 7.5R 2/8. Surface glabrous.-   Fruit:    -   -   Maturity when described.—Firm ripe and ready for            consumption.        -   Date of first picking.—Sep. 1, 2014.        -   Date of last picking.—Sep. 11, 2014, varies slightly with            climatic conditions.        -   Size.—Large. Average diameter axially 44.2 mm. Average            transversely in suture plane 79.4 mm. Average weight 187.4            grams, varies slightly with fertility of the soil, amount of            thinning and climatic conditions.        -   Form.—Flat, peen-to shape.        -   Suture.—Lipped, extends from base to apex.        -   Ventral surface.—Lipped, well sealed.        -   Apex.—Retuse.        -   Base.—Retuse.        -   Stem cavity.—Rounded to slightly elongated in suture plane.            Average depth 5.8 mm. Average length 9.3 mm.-   Stem:    -   -   Size.—Small to medium. Average length 9.5 mm. Average            diameter 2.7 mm.        -   Color.—Varies from 5GY 6/8 to 5GY 5/8.-   Flesh:    -   -   Ripens.—Evenly.        -   Texture.—Firm, meaty.        -   Fibers.—Few, small, tender.        -   Firmness.—Firm, comparable to other commercial varieties.        -   Aroma.—Heavy.        -   Amydgalin.—Undetected.        -   Eating quality.—Very good.        -   Flavor.—Very good, mild, sweet, sub-acid flavor.        -   Juice.—Heavy amount, enhances flavor.        -   Brix.—Average Brix 13.6°, varies slightly with amount of            fruit per tree and climatic conditions.        -   Color.—Varies from 5Y 9/4 to 7.5Y 9/2.        -   Pit cavity.—Average length 19.0 mm. Average width 25.9 mm.            Average depth 12.0 mm. Color varies from 7.5R 3/8 to 7.5R            3/12.-   Skin:    -   -   Thickness.—Medium.        -   Surface.—Smooth.        -   Pubescence.—Moderate amount, very short.        -   Tendency to crack.—None.        -   Color.—Ground color varies from 7.5Y 9/4 to 7.5Y 9/6.            Overspread with 5R 3/6 to 5R 3/8.        -   Tenacity.—Tenacious to flesh.        -   Astringency.—Undetected.-   Stone:    -   -   Type.—Clingstone, adherence to flesh strong.        -   Size.—Medium. Average length 18.2 mm. Average width 24.9 mm.            Average thickness 20.2 mm.        -   Form.—Globose.        -   Base.—Flat.        -   Apex.—Flat.        -   Surface.—Pitted throughout, pits vary from round to            elongated.        -   Sides.—Unequal, one side extending further from suture            plane.        -   Ridges.—Relatively smooth, extending from base to apex.        -   Tendency to split.—None.        -   Color.—7.5R 2/4 when dry.-   Kernel:    -   -   Size.—Medium. Average length 9.1 mm. Average width 10.3 mm.            Average depth 7.4 mm.        -   Form.—Globose.        -   Viability.—Viable, complete embryo development.        -   Skin color.—Varies from 2.5Y 8/6 to 5Y 9/4.-   Use: Dessert. Market — local and long distance.-   Keeping quality: Good, held firm in cold storage at 38° to 42° F.    for 3 weeks without internal breakdown of flesh or appreciable loss    of flavor.-   Shipping quality: Good, minimal skin scarring or bruising of flesh    during picking, packing and shipping trials.-   Plant/fruit disease resistance/susceptibility: No specific testing    for relative plant/fruit disease resistance/susceptibility has been    designed. Under close observation during planting, growing, and    harvesting of fruit, under normal cultural and growing conditions    near Modesto, Calif., no particular plant/fruit disease resistance    or susceptibility has been observed. Any variety or selection    observed during indexing of plant characteristics with abnormal    fungus, bacterial, virus or insect susceptibility is destroyed and    eliminated from our breeding program. Not atypical    resistances/susceptibilities have been noted under normal cultural    practices. The present new variety of peach tree, its flowers,    foliage and fruit herein described may vary in slight detail due to    climate, soil conditions and cultural practices under which the    variety may be grown. The present description is that of the variety    grown under the ecological conditions prevailing near Modesto,    Calif.

1. A new and distinct variety of peach tree (Prunus persica),substantially as illustrated and described.